The family of an autistic man held in an isolated wing of a mental health unit have launched a petition calling for the minister of health to intervene in his case.

The Human Rights Commission is joining those calling for the Government to quash convictions for gay sex.

Associate health minister Sam Lotu-Iiga has been assured Ashley Peacock is 'being cared for in the best way possible'.

COMMENT: The Human Rights Commissioner is wasting time on trying to drop "Christmas" from our summer vocabulary., writes Brian Rudman.

Labour leader Andrew Little is going to have to tread on a few toes to resuscitate the wider party, writes John Armstrong.

A New Zealander who drove into a drunken pensioner on the Gold Coast should receive $100,000 compensation after being held in custody while awaiting deportation, Australia's human rights watchdog says.

Unless we take steps to ensure freedom of expression is protected, our way of life is threatened, warns David Rutherford.

New Zealand is among the best in the world at expanding human rights, religious tolerance and peaceful dialogue, writes David Rutherford.

The Human Rights Commission has called for the Government to consider rent-control measures following major natural disasters.

The Human Rights Commission is calling for a star-rating system that would expose poorly performing rest homes to help families avoid them.

NZ could follow Britain's lead and appoint a Victims' Commissioner, but the Justice Minister said the move would have to make a real difference.

The Labour Party is calling on the Human Rights Commission to investigate concerns that disabled workers are losing their jobs at KFC because of its restructuring policy.

A group of long-serving KFC workers are being forced out of their jobs during a restructure which a union claims is deliberately targeting workers with disabilities.

A Chinese New Zealander who entered China illegally to see his parents claims he was detained, chained and tortured for five days before being deported to Auckland.

The head of the Human Rights Commission says Prime Minister John Key has misrepresented its highly critical report on his two controversial spy bills and wider surveillance issues.

Owners of a Whangarei lodge have apologised after turning away a lesbian couple who had booked a shared bed - but are not ready to welcome back gay people.

The NZEI union has been asked to address concerns held by some staff at Auckland's Kelston Intermediate School over reciting a Maori prayer before lessons start each day.

Dame Susan Devoy was the second choice for the role of Race Relations Commissioner, official documents show, but she received a glowing assessment.

A Northland couple are outraged and hurt at being denied accommodation at the Pilgrim Planet Lodge because of "who we are".

It is for those who appointed her to justify their decision and the process that was followed, writes Rajen Prasad. It is for them to explain their understanding of the contemporary race relations challenges for NZ.

Tony Kemp has been suspended from his job at the New Zealand Rugby League, pending an investigation into claims of sexual harassment.

Almost 180 Christchurch landowners have chosen not to accept the Crown offers on their red-zoned properties.

Angry Christchurch red zone property owners are launching a legal battle to force Gerry Brownlee to change his mind over compensation, but he says it is "wishful thinking".

Prime Minister John Key says it will be "bleak" for Canterbury residents who chose not to take up the Government's buy-out offer for land in the red zone.

Pregnant women and mothers returning to work from maternity leave are facing illegal discrimination and losing their jobs.

NZ has been ranked the best place in the world to be a working woman - but one advocate says the major obstacles and inequalities for women here are getting worse.

Police allege an illegal immigrant living here on a false Australian passport was also able to obtain three other false passports - including two from New Zealand.